Electrical

Everyone thinks of the local sparky when they think about the electrical trade, but take a closer look at any industry and you’ll find an electrical trade specialist channelling power in ways that might surprise you.

Trade Specialisation

Metal and Engineering

A career pathway in the metal and engineering trade offers a wide range of specialisation opportunities that are hands-on, hardy and often a bit greasy. Above all this trade requires determination and grit to deliver highly accurate work in varied and often extreme working environments.

Trade Specialisation

Automotive and Mechanical

The automotive and mechanical trade is for rev-heads and engine fanatics of all makes and models. You can specialise in engine types and sizes, depending on your host employer. A career in the trade requires passion and respect for the vehicles and engines you will be entrusted to maintain and develop day in/ day out.

Multidisciplinary Traineeships

Construction

Whether you want to build towers and tunnels or tables and cabinets there is a specialisation for you. There are even ‘finishing’ trades for the painters and plasters. The construction trade is founded on craftsmanship, so attention to detail and precision are must have traits for success.

SKILLS BASED COURSES

Are you a current or future apprentice looking to develop skills that can help you become more employable? MiTraining offers accredited short courses, self-paced courses for a quick “skills-shot” and nationally recognised qualifications in topics related to business and management.

ABOUT MITRAINING

MiTraining (Provider ID 45183) is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and a sister company to MIGAS Apprentices and Trainees. MiTraining is a leading Australian provider of business, management and leadership skills training.

Does MIGAS employ mature aged apprentices?

19 January 2018

The question we are often asked is, “Does MIGAS employ mature aged apprentices?” The answer is “yes”, but let’s break it down further than that. This is a two-part series where we will answer your queries about mature aged apprenticeships.

What is a mature aged apprentice, or adult apprentice?

In Australia, any person who is aged 21 years or older at the commencement of their Australian Apprenticeship is considered a mature aged apprentice, or adult apprentice. The same is applied to Australian Traineeships and mature aged trainees.

Do mature aged apprentices get paid higher than a normal apprentice?

All Australian apprentices are paid subject to the relevant award for the industry in which they are working. Awards detail the legal entitlements of an employee, such as minimum wages and conditions, per the industry or position in which they are employed. These awards also cover the general apprentice pay rate (commencing under the age of 21) and the adult apprentice pay rate (commencing at age 21 or over) which is typically at a higher rate. There are two award systems that an Australian apprentice may be paid under – State Based and Federal.

State Based – minimum wages and conditions are met under a State legislation. These obligations differ between States and Territories in Australia.

Federal – national minimum wage and national employment standards apply.

Some apprentices will also work under an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA), depending on their Host Employer.

EBA – wages and conditions established by an individual organisation that is binding to its employers and employees.

It’s important to clarify that if you start your apprenticeship under the age of 21 you will remain on a general apprentice pay rate for the full duration of your apprenticeship, even if you turn 21 shortly after commencing.

How long does a mature aged apprenticeship take to complete?

Mature aged apprenticeships are competency-based, which means that the time they take to complete depends on how quickly the skill levels and competencies are achieved by the mature aged apprentice. A mature aged apprenticeship may take anywhere between one year and four years, instead of the normal duration of four years for an Australian Apprenticeship.

Previous experience or skills in the relevant trade could reduce the training period for a mature aged apprentice. A person can have their previous skills and experience in the relevant industry assessed and formally recognised, and applied to the competencies of their apprenticeship training, thereby reducing the amount of time it takes to complete the qualification. Skills and experience are formally assessed by Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – an assessment and evaluation of previous experience, skills and knowledge obtained in a trade industry for formal acknowledgement. An RPL assessment may result in reduced training/study needed for a qualification. RPL must occur at the commencement of qualification.

Contact a TAFE institution or other Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for an RPL assessment and details about RPL costs.

Does MIGAS employ mature aged apprentices and what do we look for?

Yes. MIGAS employs mature aged apprentices and trainees. We strongly encourage you to apply for any of our advertised positions where you feel you have the suitable skills and experience to excel. (The only roles we can’t consider you for are the school-based opportunities, which have the additional requirement that you are currently enrolled in high school in order to commence).

If you are a mature aged applicant, we recommend highlighting the additional skills and experience you have acquired. This could be as simple as including a letter of reference in your resume from a previous employer where you completed some labour hire and/or work experience.

MIGAS recruits and employs Australian Apprentices and Trainees of all ages and hosts them to businesses for the duration of their qualification training.

Recruitment of the apprentice/trainee is specific to the requirements of the hosting business and we aim to place the right person in the apprenticeship/traineeship job. Our Recruitment team analyses a number of different factors when recruiting for apprenticeship positions, including the commitment of the apprentice candidate as well as the cultural fit for the hosting business.

Age has no impact on which apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications are available to a person.

QUICK LINKS

Learn about the success of real life mature aged apprentice, Jake Perram.

Share this article

Comments

MIGAS Apprentices and Trainees27/11/2018 10:10am (3 months ago)

Thanks for reaching out to us. As our article states you can apply for any of our roles. Right now we don't have current vacancies in painting and decorating, but you can create a MIGAS Account, customise your job preferences and receive weekly job alerts so you can keep up to date if and when we do. Head here to get started https://www.migas.com.au/register/

Paul27/11/2018 9:46am (3 months ago)

I’ve been interested in acquiring qualifications in regards to painting and decorating. I’ve had various expearience in the related areas. I am a relatively healthy 53 years of age and live in Brisbane.